26 Accessibility Services
Supporting Students with Disabilities in the Classroom
At KPU, we are committed to
- valuing the differences that are inherent among students
- offering a welcoming and inclusive environment
- providing individual academic accommodations for students with disabilities
According to the Federal Disability Reference Guide, “disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and mind and features of the society in which they live.” Disability can be in flux, stay the same, or worsen. Disability can be permanent, temporary, or episodic and can impact mobility, communication, learning, and mental health.
Students with disabilities are entitled to receive academic accommodations where they experience barriers to participation in KPU’s learning environment. Academic Accommodations are individual supports that reduce environmental and attitudinal barriers so that students with disabilities have the chance to develop and demonstrate the same skills and abilities that are expected of all students.
Academic Accommodation planning is facilitated by Accessibility Services.
Policy ST14 (Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities) outlines KPU’s commitment and processes to ensuring equitable access. Please review both the policy and procedure documents on the Bylaws and Policies on the KPU Bylaws and Policies webpage.
It is incumbent on all KPU community members, including faculty and instructional staff, to work with students in a collaborative way to ensure their equitable access to learning and KPU resources.
Faculty and instructional staff are responsible to
- support students with disabilities
- participate in planning and providing accommodations
- prevent or reduce barriers in course design and delivery
Supports for faculty and instructional staff include:
- Accessibility Services
- for understanding the scope and application of academic accommodations.
- Learning Specialists (non-instructional faculty)
- for support with Universal Design for Learning, and pedagogical development.
- Accessibility Advisors
- Teaching and Learning
- for support with technology and other tools to support teaching – helping to make materials accessible for all students.
Accessibility Services is here to help and discuss. Contact access@kpu.ca
Other relevant law: